Amalgamator and separator



Sept. 25, 1923. 1,469,007 f c. MEYER E'r Al.

AMALGAMATORV AND SEPARATOR Filed Jan, 26 1921 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 EEN- CHARLES EIEYER AND HENRY B. MEADE, OF LOS ANGELES, CALFORYNIA ASSIG-NOBS i T0 FRANK A. GILLESPIE, OF ANGELES, CALIFOBNA.

maneaiirafron ann snrana'ron.

Application' and Januar-y ze, 1921. serial no. 44eme.

HENRY B. lvlnnnn citizens ot the United Statesresiding' at Los Angelesin the county ot Los Angeles and State ot California, ha Ye.

invented new and` useful Improvements in iinialganiators and Separators, otwhich the following is a specification. i

Our invention relates to an ainalgarnating or nietal separatingl apparatus, andthe principal objects ot our invention areto generally improve upon .and simplify the existing types ot amalga1nators;to provide an ap paratus that can be very economically operated; to provide a construction wherein an apparatus ot given size has a relatively large capacity; to provide relatively simpl-o and novel means for insuringA the separation and collection ofthe relatively finer or mi.- croscopic particles oi: metal, to provide in an ainalg'aniating; apparatus simple and eiiicient means toi' automatically effectinga separation of the 'heavy metal carrying voluine ot mercury trom that carrying the relativelyy lighter metals, and, likewise, from the metal tree mercury. and further, to provide sirnple and eiiicient means `for continuously regenerating or renderingnascen-t the mercury that is utilized in the system, thereby en'- abling the saine body ot mercury to be con-V tinuously used in eiecting the separationo't metallic values. f

j lith the `foregoing` andV other objects Ain view, our invention consistsv in rertaiii novel `tout-uros ot construction and'arrangement oi' Y parts that will be hereinatter inoretully described and claimed, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure l is a diagrammatic view of our improved arnalgama'tor and separator, the parts thereof being in vertical'section. l Figure Q is an end view ot the head ot. one ot the mercury troughs or pockets, and which torins a part ot our invention.

Figure 3 is an enlarged horizontal section taken on the line tFigure 3.

Figure o is a horizontal tion taken on e line 5-5 of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a vertical section taken on the line 6--6 ot Figure 3. i

Referring by numerals to the accompanying drawiib 'embodiment of our invention, lOdesignates S ot Figure l.' is a vertical section taken onthe s, Which'illustrate a'practical a niixinghox or container, into one end ot which discharges a Vmaterial feeding' chute ortrough 1l, vand a water .supply pipe 7 2.

Arranged within the mixing' hot; or container is a pair ottransversely"disposedpartitions l?) Vand 111;, the loiverred'gcs of which are elevated with'respect to the bottom oi' the boi; or container, and arranged between the upper ed o'lthese partitions is an inclined lscreen l5. Depending *from the tharnhcr hetween the partition la and the Yadjacent"end ofthe boXis a vpulp discharge .pipe or chutey 1'6, and extending downwardly therethrough is a nascent Amercury supply pipe i7, which leads to a. mercury re'li'enerating;v apparatus which' i ill be hereinafter inore fully de scribed.

Chute 16 and pipe 11.7 discharge into the openfupper end ot a vertically disposed cylindrical rnernber 18 that 1s inadeup ot' a Vseries ot superposed. nested ring' sections.-

1Bositioned in thel lower portion oteach ringv section is a concavo-convexV disc 3 9 torined ot thin sheetinetaLsaidfdisc,being arranged with its convex` surface on the under side. The center ot'the disc is formed withk an' opening 20, and the Wall-ot this openingn bent outwardlyrto torni a relatively narrow retaining lip 2l'. The body ot the disc 19 adjacent to the v-opening is provided with series ot concentric corrugations 92, the saine serving);V to retard the flow mercury over the disc while'the apparatus is in operation.

Supported in any suitable manner iu'lrncdiate-ly above each disc Y1971s a coucavo-convenv disc Q3 of sheet'nietal, the diameter which is less than the interna-l diametery ot the cylinder lS. and said disc 23 is reversely positionod with respect to the adiacentdiscl 19 so that its convex tace is on top. The edge or" 'disc 23 is turned upwardly to torni relatively fshort inercury retaining lip 241. and, in order to lobtain highest c'iiiciency 'during operation'the distance between the ede@ otV this lip 24. and tliejwall the cylinder is practically equal tothe distance between said lip and the (adj acent tace ot disc 1.9. .fssporf tion ot the body oit each disc 23 anjacent tot the upturnedlip Qis provided with a series 'of annular corri tions 25 thatare eifective in retarding' the tiow oit mercury downwardly over the surtaceotfthe disc. i

'lfhe' discs 19 and 23 are preterablyftorined ioo shaped members 28. said plates l suitable sheet metsl. preferably topper.

Auieuged iu the 1oottom of the trough suituhe distance below the lauuder Q6 is u series of transversely disposed channel ped Q9 that Y. .se so that the amalgam 'will gradually flow toward one end o? seid pocket.

ln @volvi-i155 the copper plates to the loottom ot the trough 27 between the trough ranged so that their lower edges overlie the unige# side Wells of seid members 28 term *We the upper edges o'i the poe ets'Qf). While ou the opposite or lower fr? the ylwrmel shaped mernhers the edL ot the plates are spaced apart trom said memleis QS. desi-minted b v o Figure Y This arrangement toros depressions immedietelyY below 'he Channel shaped members, which depressions are equal in depth to the thiolmen or" the Copper pla-tes. This ar- Qemeut greetlv facilitates the dow et the a i- .leem that trlivels across the' umalgaro illednoelfets Twhen the apparatus is in operation.

vffhere reletrfela narrow trough. 27 1S use om. the memhers extend from 1 oiz the trough across the loot- 1 wie trough and through the o" oosite ,s illuslmted iu Figures 3 and 4, 1ere the trough is of considerable Width, a pair of the members QS are urranged in direet elinerneut with each other `ite sides of the medi Jl line of the hat the oumlgilm Will Vow from oppositev directions toward the 't the trough shaped members 2S are posil. the bottom of the trough 217 so that the upper faces of the side Walls et ?l members lie Hush with lili-o top o1." the trough bottom. Y

iuterul'witix ea'h Channel mom- Where the pocket 29 3h. is u infre plate 0 whiff direetlj: against Jrhe outer twee Y .ouf Well of the trougl'xa fl; secured to the outer tace of i its too and bottom are retaini??,V les diustublv positioned i l i J i v l ou eri-3h 'fe e lst-e 30 and retained 1u its i by the pluto Sl, is .f1 suh- Qngular block 32, and formed meer Sortino thereof is eentrellv i @d feteeellzf disposed chamber 33 kun;

ie eue uieroury po liet S7 formed of' the bloei-z 32 at trom the tor in the upper portion et pocket Y "v-.fhieh sf'rew are adapted .rreses/ruling` threads 4Q Walls of seid pocket :ced 'for presenting the slimes over the surface ot me the Doiflets i iii e. threaded recess termed in l; 9 between ltoeliet and the outlet 'trovo 1ticslly disposed ur pocket is a Ver en for the pi rpose oit reguthe fiom' ot sil- Ver hearing smelgem ooelet .t3 tlirough pocket 37 and outlet therefrom.

d noche s 4t2, and the louer ver leds thereof commuuieute portion et Sher horitmielhY disposed operi i. .Reged approximately midwujbe tween the tou auf bottom oit said poflet Leading from the lower ends ofthe outer logs of the inverted Ul-shaped pockets 4t2 are ueeted to tuhe the sume end ot the trough 27. Screw u the block between the Vertical pockets 29. from receiving tehl: 46 to an i or Loot is Whirl, is located valve and arranged for ogerzttion upon n soroelret Wheel 5l that is suitably jourfoled in the hoot 48, is an endless Conveyor :3E/3`r comprising s. sprocket chain and smell` huelcets. This endless Couve'vvor is vertically disposed, and its upper end passes around @suitably journaled sprocket een.

llO

resaca? wheel 53. Either one of the sprocket wheels l or 53 may be vdriven in order to operate.

the endless conveyor. The buckets of this endless conveyor discharge at the upper end thereof into a suitably locatedA receptacle l54C,

tank 55 is a. plate 57' of copper, that pertorms the Jfunctions of a cathode, said .plate being slightly inclined downwardly awayt'rcm the discharge endol" pipe 56, and said plate beingr connected by suitable conductors 53 to the negative pole'of a. suitable source ot electricity, preferably a. generator 59.

lositioned immediately above plate 57 is a plate 60 of suitable` metahpreferably iron, the same being perforated and connected by suitable conductors 61 to the positive pole ot the generator 59, so that it .performs the functions of anv anode. The marginal edges of the cathode vplate 57 are Vturned npwardly so that said plate is in the form ot a shallow pan, and connected. tothe lower end thereof'is one end of a tube 62 which is connected to the nascent vmercury supply pipe 17. Suitably located in saidtube 62 is a valve 63, and a sightfeed tube 64.

Located at a suitable point below tank 55 is a. sodium solution tank 65 in which is arranged :t'or operation a pump 66, .preterably ot the rotary type, and having an intake pipe 67 and a .discharge pipe 68, the latter leading upwardly and entering` one side 'ol-tank in a. plane above the anode plate '(30. 'Y

Leading from the opposite side ot'tank 55 is an overflow or outlet pipe 69, the same entering the upper endl of a suitablyT located strai tank 70, the space within which is divided into a clear or strained solution chamber 71 and a waste chamber 72, said chambers being sepa-rated by a horizontally disposed screen 73, the latter being formed ot any relatively ine/reticulated material, preferably fabric -such as canvas Orburlap. The lower end of the clear solution chamber is provided with an outlet 74 that leads directly into an in-take pipe 75y connected 'to thevlower portion of tank 65. Leading;r

Arom the lower end ot the waste chamber 72 ot the straining tank is a waste discharge iipe 7G. The operation of this form or our improved auialgamator is as follows:

lhior to the delivery of pulp into theV apparatus. the inner surfaceot cylinder 18, both sin-tacos ot the discs 19 and 23 and the meter surtaces of the metal lining plate of the trough QT amalgamed or coated with mercury, and sutlicient mercury is delivered into the trough to illthe Vtransverse pockets 29. The levelV of the mercury within the pockets 29 indicated by the dotted line A in Figure et, is regulated by the proper vadiretirent ot the screws e7, and. which' ,nascent mercury tro-m pipe 1.7

cylinder 18 with thefpulfp.VV

Y nascent or Vregenerated mercury iasses downwardly over. the upper surfaces 'lips 2l and 2li.

latter jare positioned between the legsot the inverted U-shaped pockets 4t2.v The materialV to be treated. beingr properly pulveized` and-screened, enters tanklo'throngh a chute l1`V and water entering' saidtaa l0 mixes with said material tov t :m pulp.l The relativelyY liner'and 1neavier particles oi" the' pulp will passl beneath partition 13, while the relatively lighter and larger pieces ot .inaterialwill pass throughscreen 15, which has a relatively large mesh, 'andsaid pulp p: .scstlirouah outlet pipe 1'3 intovthe upper end tot cylinder 18. Y

.lt will be understood that while the apparatus is in operation this cylinder is completely filled with pulp, and the latter inV travi iingrrthrouchsaid vcylinder mest necesL 'sarilv flow downwardly and.V outwardly over the discs'Q-S; and'thence downwardly and.

inwardly over the .discs 19,` and this continned outward and inward movement Vot the pulp will necessarily causecit to Vbecontinnelly agitated, with Ythe result that .the solid particles in said pulp Vwill befcontinnally rotated or turned first in one direction and thenv in the other. By this operation the metal within; said pulp will amalgamate wh or be taken up by the mercury on the surfaces ot the discs 19'and 23,. and YthisA amalgainating action willA be`V greatly en- Q95 anced by a practically continuous lowfofV Vwhich enters otthe discs 19 and 23,' and its tlow over said Y 'discs is materially retarded by Vthe annular.

corrugaticns Q2 andv25i and by the upturned lt will be understoodV that in all metal carrying pulp there isV a certain 1195 percentage (xt/extremely fine or microscopic particles of metal which tend to Heaton the water ot the pulp rather than to pass downwardly therethrough .by gravity, and in' our improved` apparatus these ,microscopic par- Y' ticles oft metal will be taken upand retained by the mercury on theY underfsides of 'the discs 19 and 23. y 4

After discharging r'tromthe lower end ot theV cylinder `18, the lpulp and metal carrying l mercury will gradually flo-w downwardlyVV through the trough 27 with said mercury in direct ContactY with the metal plates on the .bottom of trough. .and this metal carry-L q rug mercury willA finally dlscharge into the l transverse n'iercurytraps or pockets E29, and',

in se doing they displace a corresponding volume ot mercury within said traps or pockets. The mercury discharges outwardly as hereinafter more fully described. l

The mercury Vwhich carries' gold, platinum Y and like relatively heavy metals, will by l gravity pass downwardly into the lower portions of ..the pockets29, and, asthebottom through the Dechets and cntlets in blocks 32, l:

rac

l r YS surtir-es ot the surfaces oit said pockets are inclined7 this relatively heavy amalgam will gradually l W downwardly to the discharge ends of said pockets through the lower portions of thn pooltets 33, ai d finally through pipes 3st into the receptacles The mercury or amalgam containing the lighter metals, such as ver aud copper. will i near the tops of the pockets 29, and this amalgam will gradually flow outwardly Vthrough said pockets aud oische, je thereugper portions ot pocket Jfrom through the i Qs .J :h the screws 9 and from thence utrol the discharge learn aud the ,rrmiqzjr e through passi l A r r l after through t e imfertet. iti-shapes po said metal 'r-e mercury passes pipes llli Vo pipe 457 aud from tlie dischlrges into tank or receptacle 46.

lh thro the pockets e2, this metal 1free Iiucmcrx;7 must uecessarilf.7 pas, over screws 42.7, that with the latter properh,7 adiustcd to regulate the discharge of mental tree i ercu 7 `the level ot the hodies ot r mercurj.7 maiuteiueo in receivingpockets 29 he contro led. Screws J9 fr adjusted so tha their lower L ends W a short distance below the lodies ot mercury within pockets Q9, w hus the pup in passing` throu-fqh troi Y is prete tell disout. dlr through pockets amalgam or metal carrying mercurj7 t asses olf through pipes and 38 can tr ated iu desired aud Well known r. preferably hv distillation, in or- Y Lhe metallic va ues Contained Vmercury passes from rethrouefh Dise 49 to the eleand hy eleivaltor this mer- "fu'flljf sud discharged in- Vo.: whence it passes into t Y through pipe 56, The merolrjgf ug tuul flows down- Wardljforer cathode plate 57, and, after loeiiigr regenerated, it pesses through pipes 62 and l? aud enters oy Y luider 18 ih a nascent state, to again perform its 1luuctioris of talringf up the 'free metal in the pulp passing through the system.

ln order to regenerate the mercury that continuously passes through theV system,

iiecesssrikT remain taul 'is lilled or partiallyY filled with a relef v sodiu chloride solution, aut is operated this solution is del uli 55 through pipe 68, and for@ ictweeu the :modeaud cathd aud thus constitutes the electrothe electric current that oasses from le to the'cathode, andv over 'which red upon 'Lie mercuryy is cou- 1 mercuryv takes up odiumr aud thereby reg'eurrated. and in uch l iem through pipes the the recertain percent ahsorhs ih the t iis lost metallic .f-oduuri pases ou with the Water and treated t i et caustic soda, While the returns to the regeneratlo sodium t ai t tard:4 and t loss of .salt solution. it

the

s imple. can he t' is particularlv e er particles ot rr; Y. under treairoeut aud hy uroviciug 'tor couftaumljy regeneratiu or i nascent the mercury that is used recoveiwv ot metallic 1-ialues the sj; iii cfm he utilize( to much than azualpjauiatiugf sysmermirtY is xc te l med or f e i du from the metalli-c values hy the i process.

sli: minor charuocou of @hout departiue e Soirlt s i. which the mf curr We adam' curi/J pocket, th

deelihes towers e L@ et the end orV eid pocket tl e greatest depth for automatically efectiug a sepathis elecration of the mercury carrying Vthe heavier metals from the mercury carrying the lighter metals.

2. In an :imalgamaior7 va trough through which the material to be treated and ymercury are adapted to pass7 said trough being provided ivith a transversely disposed mer cury pocket, the bottom ot ivhich gradually declines toward onev end, and means located at the end of said pocket having the greatest depth tor eilecting a separation ot the mercury carrying the heavier metals and the mercury carrying the lighter metals from each other and; from the metal tree mercury.

3. In an amalgamator, a trough through which the material to be treated and mercury are adapted to pass, said trough .being provided with a transversely disposed mercury pocket, the bottom of which gradually declines toward one end. means locatedat the endv ot said pocket having the greatest depth for etl'ecting` a separation of the mercury carrying the heavier metals and the mercury carrying the lighter metals from each other and from the metal tree mercury,

and adjustablev -means for regulating and controlling the separating action betiveen the metal carrying mercury and metal tree mercury, Y Y

et. In an amalgamator, a trough through which the material to be treated and the mercury are adapted to pass, a plurality ot mercury pockets in the bottom of said trough, the bottom of said trough being inclined, and a member arranged at the end ot the pocket having the greatest depth, and provided With outlets located at different levels-for etlecting the separation and'discharge of the mercury carrying the heavier metals from the mercury carrying the lighter metals and from the metal tree mercury.

5. Inan amalgamator, a vtrough through which the material to be treated and the mercury7 are adapted to pass, a plurality. ot mercury pockets in the bottom ot said trough, the bottom ot said trough being inclined, a member arranged at the end ot the pocket having the greatest depth, and provided ivith outlets located at diierent levels 'for effecting the separation and discharge of the mercury carrying the heavier metals from the mercury carrying the lighter metals and means located' at the end of the pocketV having the greatest dept-h torautomatically effecting a separation of the metal tree mercury from the metal carrying mercury. 'Y

8. In an amalgamator,V a trough through which the material to be treated and mercury are adapted to pass, the bottom of said trough being provided. with a transversely Y arranged poclret`the bottom of which is inclined. a block adjustably'arrangedrat the end of the pocket having the greatest depth andadapted to receive mercury "froins'aid pocket, saidV block being provided With a series of connectedpoclrets tor effectinga separation of thev metal carrying mercury from the metal free mercury, and adjustable means for controlling` the flow otmercury through the connected pockets. A

9. In an amalgamator, a mercury pocket having an inclined bottom, arblock arranged the` end ot the pocket having the greatest depth` and said Vblock being` provided with a series ot pockets thatA are connected atv` diiierent levels for automatically effecting a separation of the metalcarrying mercury trom ,the metal freermercury. Y l0. In an amalgamator, a mercury pocket having an inclined bottom, a block arranged at the end of the pocket having thefgreatest depth, said block being provided with a series of pockets that are connected at difj ferentY levels for automatically effecting a separation. ot the met-al carrying mercury trom the metal tree mercury and for effectw Y ing laseparation of the mercury carrying the lighter metals from the mercury carrying the heavier metals.

ll. In an amalgamator. a mercury receiving packet the bottom of which is inclined, a block arranged at the end of the pocket having the greatest depth, there being a series of connected pockets formed in said block, and vertically adjustable members arranged between said pockets.

l2. In an amalgamator, a mercury pocket having an Ainclined bot-toni and a member adjustably arranged at the end of the pocket having the greatest depth, which member is provided with a series 'of chambers that are connected at differentlevels, so as to automatically eiiect the separation of the metal tree mercury from the metal carrying mercury.

V13; In an amalgamator, a mercury pocket having an inclined bottom and a member adconnected at erent levels, so as to autoect the s Jaration or" the merep; the lighter metals from the v carrying the heavier metals.

u au amalgamator, a mercury pocket au inclined bottom and a member est depth, which member is series chambers that are crest levels, so to auto-V he separation o the metal ,u the metal carrying; meret the separation of the merthe lighter metals 'trom the carry iig the heavier metals.

la au amalff'amator. a mercury pocket 'paving inclined bottom, a member adarranged at the end ot the pocket the greatest depth, which member :s proviue u with a series of chambers that v connecte-1l at different levels. so as to omatically effect the seoaimtion et the -al free mercury from the metal carry- 1 mercury. and adiustable members aru d Within the chambers vtor controlling the flow of mercury7 therethrough. f

16. lu au a mercury pocket having an inclined bottom. a member adjustably arranged at the end of thev pocket the `f freatest depth. Which member is Wi'h a series of chambers that are our-ected at different levels, so as to autocally elect the separation of the metal ree mercury from the metal carrying merury. and adjustable members arranged 7ithiu the chambers for controlling the flow et mercury therethrough.

llfv arranged atthe end of the Decheti8. ln an amalgamator, a trough through which mercury and the material to 'be treated adapted to pass, said trough being provided with a mercury pocket` and means one curl of the pocket for automatically effecting' a separation or the mercury carryiapgtlie heavier metals and the mercury carrying' the lighter metals.

ln testimony whereof We have sianed our names to this specification.

CHARLES MEYER. HENRY B. MEADE. 

